A New Sunroof

Picture of By Rob Harvey
By Rob Harvey

Our 1978 MGB GT is getting even closer to leaving the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.

Classic car technician Brian has been busy making and fitting a new sunroof for this eye-catching classic car. Brian started by fitting the wood sections to the metal brackets that surround the sunroof opening. He then laid the frame bars onto the old cover to see where they were positioned.

He went on to fit the wood and brackets around the sunroof opening before trial-fitting the roof bars to check everything was the perfect fit.

Brian riveted the roof cables to the front rail before fitting the lock and handle too. The front rail was also trial-fitted so Brian could make sure that it locked into position.

The rubber handle was fitted to the underside of the lock handle before Brian turned his attention to a new headliner board.

He made a new pattern for this and then cut out the new sunroof headliner, glueing the edges ready to be sewn. The frame bars were then laid onto the sewn headliner and the front wood trim was glued into place.

Wood trim and a chrome surround for the handle were installed before Brian fitted the roof bars in place and glued the headliner flaps around the bars. The sunroof cover was then cut out ready to have its edges sewn.

The front rail was then glued to the hood material and fitting straps were fitted to the sides of the material to hold the frame in place. The cover was glued to the frame and the corners were trimmed before the cover was fitted to the car.

The sunroof was bolted to the car before being sealed with mastic.

The headliner could then be glued and stapled in place while the new headliner board was marked out. The headliner board was cut out and had holes drilled in it for the clips to be fitted. This was then trial-fitted before being covered.

With the addition of the sunroof, our 1978 MGB GT is looking great and will very likely soon be leaving the workshop to be reunited with its owner.

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